Woman assaulted after man gets into her car at petrol station

The incident began just before 7pm on Thursday (February 21) when the victim was leaving the Shell garage in Poynters Road. As she was driving off the forecourt a man opened the passenger door and got in.

The man then forced the victim, who is in her late 20s, to drive to Tomlinson Avenue where he assaulted her.

The victim managed to make her way to her family home from where she contacted the police.

Detectives from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit are appealing for witnesses to come forward.

The man is described as being of medium build and wearing a dark hoodie with the hood up and pulled tight across his face.

Detective Inspector Ruth Dodsworth, in charge of the investigation, is advising motorists to ensure their car doors are locked when they are sitting in their vehicles and wants to trace anyone who saw the man in the Poynters Road area, or saw a black 4x4 type car parked in Tomlinson Avenue.

Det Insp Dodsworth said: “This is a devastating experience for this lady to have to deal with and she is receiving support from her family and specialist officers at this time.

“We believe this is an isolated incident but to ensure people’s safety we would advise motorists to be on their guard and lock their car doors when they are sitting in their vehicles.”

“We have spoken with another woman who we believe was approached by this man shortly before this incident, she had her car door locked so he was unable to gain entry to her vehicle.

“I would urge anyone who may have also been approached by a man matching this description to contact the police immediately. I would also like to take this opportunity to appeal to anyone who saw the man get in to a black 4x4 type car or saw this car parked in Tomlinson Avenue to also contact the police as soon as possible.”

Anyone with information relating to this incident should contact officers from the MCU, in confidence, on 01707 355959, or Bedfordshire Police on 101, or text information to 07786 200011.

Or call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.